On July 2, IDOT posted the April 2014 Draft Purpose and Need Statement (http://www.66corridor.org/doclib/docs/Draft66CorridorPurposeandNeedStatement.pdf) (page 18/88 of pdf; page 15 of document):
Quote
VI. 66 CORRIDOR STUDY PURPOSE AND NEED
The purpose of the 66 Corridor Study is to improve system linkage/connectivity between Paducah, Kentucky and I-55 in Missouri to:
1. Increase transportation linkage/accessibility between Paducah, Kentucky and I-55 in Missouri;
2. Increase transportation linkage/regional accessibility to urban areas, medical care and higher education;
Secondly, improving system linkage/connectivity between Paducah, Kentucky and I-55 in Missouri can:
1. Improve regional traffic safety through improved transportation linkage; and
2. Support economic development in the Study Area through improved transportation linkage.
This is still alive!?! :confused: I thought I-66 through Illinois died a long time ago. Obviously, I was wrong.
Of course, IDOT cannot let Texas even come close in the 2di interstate count, can they. :pan:
IL isn't in the lead
39, 41, 55, 57, 64, 70, 72, 74, 80, 88, 90 is eleven
2, 10, 20, 27, 30, 35, 37, 40, 44, 45, 69 is also eleven
IL wants 66, TX wants 14 and possibly 6. While IL has low hanging fruit of numbers nearby (43, 44 and 65 end so close, but the boat has definitely sailed with 44), Texas has potential corridors and construction.
^^ 94 is also in IL
I still think I-66 needs to go directly from Kentucky to Missouri and cross the Mississippi River on a new bridge, rather than crossing the Ohio River. That's what I-24 is for.
Quote from: english si on July 22, 2014, 04:32:56 PM
IL wants 66, TX wants 14 and possibly 6. While IL has low hanging fruit of numbers nearby (43, 44 and 65 end so close, but the boat has definitely sailed with 44), Texas has potential corridors and construction.
It might have appeared to have sailed with I-44, but that doesn't mean that in 20 years Illinois won't think of a plot to replace the McKinley Bridge with a new four lane structure, upgrade IL 3 to a freeway between the bridge and I-270, and sign I-44 over that.
I think at the very least a better route across southern Illinois is warranted; there is not a decent route between East Cape Girardeau and I-57 near Ullin.
There should be something closer to Cairo - at some point the bridge between IL and KY at Cairo will need some major work. MO and KY already has a toll ferry that is more than sufficient right now as long the weather conditions are favorable. Otherwise, upgrading IL 146 is the better bet.
If built, this would be an alternative route for Nashville-St. Louis traffic. I'd rather see this as a 3di of I-24 or I-55 instead of signed as I-66, but oh well.
Is Missouri on board with this?
Quote from: codyg1985 on July 28, 2014, 08:10:55 AM
If built, this would be an alternative route for Nashville-St. Louis traffic. I'd rather see this as a 3di of I-24 or I-55 instead of signed as I-66, but oh well.
Is Missouri on board with this?
Maybe and maybe not, but we all know that I-66 will go no further than Wichita, if it ever goes that far west.
And I've always thought that I-66 should go through western KY instead of crossing into IL.
Quote from: Henry on July 28, 2014, 04:44:30 PM
Quote from: codyg1985 on July 28, 2014, 08:10:55 AM
If built, this would be an alternative route for Nashville-St. Louis traffic. I'd rather see this as a 3di of I-24 or I-55 instead of signed as I-66, but oh well.
Is Missouri on board with this?
Maybe and maybe not, but we all know that I-66 will go no further than Wichita, if it ever goes that far west.
And I've always thought that I-66 should go through western KY instead of crossing into IL.
I always thought that was the preferred route: a bridge directly connecting KY to MO.
Quote from: hbelkins on July 22, 2014, 07:48:48 PM
I still think I-66 needs to go directly from Kentucky to Missouri and cross the Mississippi River on a new bridge, rather than crossing the Ohio River. That's what I-24 is for.
Is "needs" the right word? If I read the KYTC AADT right, US 51/US 60/US 62 carries 4711 vehicles a day just north of Wickliffe.
I'd say most all of that traffic crosses the Mississippi and goes west on US 60. A new I-66 would mean they could ban trucks off those two bridges and probably get some more life out of them.
Quote from: hbelkins on July 22, 2014, 07:48:48 PM
I still think I-66 needs to go directly from Kentucky to Missouri and cross the Mississippi River on a new bridge, rather than crossing the Ohio River. That's what I-24 is for.
I agree. I think I-66 should go to Sikeston. Then Missouri could maybe upgrade US 60 to Springfield and make it part of 66. Even if they didn't upgrade US 60 at least it would connect to a major east-west route in southern Missouri.
Quote from: hbelkins on July 22, 2014, 07:48:48 PM
I still think I-66 needs to go directly from Kentucky to Missouri and cross the Mississippi River on a new bridge, rather than crossing the Ohio River. That's what I-24 is for.
Illinois is trying to make amends for screwing up the routing of I-24 back when I-24 was supposed to end at I-55 near Scott City? (The old newspaper articles are linked elsewhere in the forum).
Per an article in the SE Missourian, the corridor study will be modified to only study connecting Cape Girardeau to I-57. (http://www.semissourian.com/story/2212068.html)
Quote from: Revive 755 on July 10, 2015, 05:19:27 PM
Per an article in the SE Missourian, the corridor study will be modified to only study connecting Cape Girardeau to I-57. (http://www.semissourian.com/story/2212068.html)
It's already starting to die!